Mosh Glass

Ok. It’s Thursday and the day sucked. Work wise. Mostly because I had to work. Four appointments. An appointment requires me to be “on” for an hour or more. Four puts hem back to back. Which means no room for recharge. So it’s awful but you cant let on. Hence, it sucks. Sucks the life out of the day. And the life out of me. I am signing off here. I’m sorry, it’s late and I got nothing left. And Emily is gone to yoga camp which means I have to do all chores myself. No sympathy needed. It’s just extra work at home at the end of a bad work day. Bye.

It’s 830. In the evening. I can not remember what I did all day. Sorry.

First thing, it’s Wednesday, so weigh in. 153.2. 2 more pounds gone. I may be through the weight loss part of the diet in two weeks. That could be nice.

Nothing else this morning comes to mind. Nothing. Although, I did have two blackberry handpies for breakfast. That was super cool.

Off to work, with no detours or issues. Work was without any visitors or interruptions. Sounds very nice. And it was. I managed a few tax returns, deadline is getting close, cleaned up my desk, made some calls. I had a day.

The drive home had no accidents like this morning. Relatively easy and fast.

Emily has a large pot of minestrone on the stove when I got home. That is a good way to end the day. I made a pan of cornbread to go along with it. I call that a very nice meal. And since it’s weigh in day I plan to cheat a little in dessert. It’s good for me.

He rest of this evening will be bad TV. Nothing good on tonight. Last night I even went to bed early to avoid it.

I’m sorry I don’t have much to contribute to the blog today. I just did not pay attention. Sorry again.

Moisture condensed from the atmosphere and it falls visibly in separate drops covering the ground quickly as to wash away all the dirt of the past seasons.

Non poetically, it’s raining. I forgot the forecast though I had been following it all week. Rain Tuesday. Then no more on the forecast, at least two more weeks. This is the first rain of the season so I expect lots of accidents on the way to work. Some drivers seem to forget how to drive in the rain even though it rained last May. People are double stupid when they get into their car.

I like the rain. It usually means snow and then skiing. I look forward to the winter. This rainy little precursor to the real winter is nothing more than a tease. But a tease can be fun too.

I think this weekend may be when I overseed the lawn. All the dead spots from the summers heat wave need fixing and patching. The rain is a gentle reminder that the days shorten and temps drop to where this is possible. I have been looking forward to the lawn repair. As much as one can look forward to yard work. I have had almost zero yard work since March, none since the big move. So this is going to be a little fun. Probably. The follow up on a reseed is then every day for two weeks or so. Just like kids. Watch em for two weeks then let them grow on their own. Am I right?

Today is shaping up to be a pile of steaming joy. I joke. I have a meeting at noon with somewhere between 2 and 12 people.

So the work day is done. Why not write during the day? Well, let me tell you.

On the way to work I made a stop to drop off some paperwork. Got a call, that lasted 30 minutes. Lovely. The world did not change because of it. I drove to work.

So I did some, very little, actual work when I arrived at about 1130. Just a few things, like straightening up for guests.

First arrival at near noon. One. We chatted. Second arrival at 1215. We continued worthless banter. Two arrived at 1230, for a meeting at 12, and away we go. I don’t like large meetings. Everyone feels they need to ask questions and look smart and participate. They don’t. But it does make the damn meeting that much longer. And they asked the stupidest questions. They are purchasing a clients business and this is part of their due diligence. But, wanting records from 10 years ago is idiotic. 3 years would be recent, any farther back and data loses relevance. It went like this for two hours. A complete waste of my time. I got tonthe point I was telling them emphatically what was important and what to ignore. These people are cray cray. And to think, there are 8 more in the group. OMG.

After these folks had left, my next meeting started. And did not end until 630. About four hours. Now we did have others join us during that span which lengthens the process but damn that’s a lot of talking. I was tired at the end and kinda had to push the last guy out the door.

I left immediately after. Time to get dinner, it’s Tuesday. Nice drive home which is the only relaxing part of my day.

Arrived at the carniceria just after 7. They weren’t closed and had plenty of food. Two very surprising things. The costillas de Puerco con nopales were calling my name – Guillermo, Guillermo!! Just like that. Only quieter. Carnitas for the bride. And that’s dinner.

Now I am blogging and getting mauled by my cat. In front of the TV. Although it’s not bad TV. Hey, it’s possible. I am going to go do the monthly bills. Then maybe some more OK TV. Or bedtime. I will report back.

Yes, those are meant to be sarcastic. I don’t look forward to work, I look forward to not work. And I look forward to the ultimate long weekend, retirement. My Dad has been retired for 35 years. All you actuaries go to hell. Maybe I am more like my Dad than anyone thinks. 35 years. That’s a big number. And it continues.

Well, every workday is a step towards that. So, that’s a positive reason to go to work. That, and my bi annual CPA license mailing is due. That’s important. It’s my license to steal from the public. Lol. I am just kidding. It’s a license that allows the POS Board of Accountancy to steal from me. Money, time and energy. I hate them with a great passion. I will tell you no CPA has ever been a great fan of over-regulation. Or regulation for that matter. We deal with morons at IRS and other do nothing federal and state agencies. Those morons tell us what to do. Amazing. We ought to regulate them. They will all be the first ones up against the wall when the revolution comes. This is what one interaction with the regulating authorities can do to you. Put you off your Wheaties.

Let’s forget about that till I get to work. Won’t be long. Or not long enough.

At work I managed to get my license renewal packaged up and finally mailed. At least, I did it just after my first appointment. Which lasted 3! hours. Yikes. Client Gabriel needed three returns done. Hence the long time to end. I still need info for the 3rd return, maybe tomorrow.

After Gabriel had left, finally, I was able to start working on my day. Though it got interrupted several times. I got to work some on the building sale. Which is really going poorly. The bank holding the first is being a dick. They want more money. Though the sale price covers their deed of trust, they have legal costs they want me to pay. Won’t happen. See, the bank is still pissed that a marijuana recommendation clinic had been a tenant in the building. They hired attorneys who dutifully billed hours to them to the tune of $40k plus. So bank now wants me to magically come up with more money. I want a solid gold pisser. We are not going to be disappointed. But I had to speak with the attorney and my agent today. Still don’t know where this is going.

Not much else to do today. Mostly just phone calls. I spent a great deal of time on several calls with Michael. He was buying his first car, down in LA, and I came into the proceedings several time to answer his questions and keeping him from getting screwed. I spoke to the sales manager and finance and salesman. Glad I got involved. That took up quite a bit of time and broke up the day to the point of inefficiency. Anyhow, the dealer did try to screw him out of $1000 by putting something on the car he did not want and then not saying anything. Gotta love car dealers. We ended up with a decent deal and I am sure he will be happy. He pays and I can be sure he will respect what he pays for. I hope.

By the time I did all of this stuff I had to leave. I had to deliver a check to my architect so had to get moving a little early and head downtown. Architect had called with an update on variance and asked me to pay him. I had a nice drive over but added time by missing my exit. Not a lot of time but some.

The drive home May have had a little more traffic than usual because I left earlier. Not sure I mind really.

So home. Made dinner. It was the exact same thing as last night. Loved it. Turns out stupid dog had crapped all over. One good thing, I wasn’t there. And, the nice rug he used to like to crap on, I put it up a couple days ago so he could not shit on it again. And he didn’t. I am so smart.

And dinner was excellent. Thank you.

So I ended my evening blogging and listening to bad TV. It’s lovely but it entertains me.

Time for bed.

This is the end of a very long week. The continuing education marathon has drained me. I got up at 730, I think. Don’t really remember. Did the usual, plus newspaper. No big. Mowed the lawn. Washed the car. I came in and sat down and feel like it’s naptime. I did not overwork today so I can only assume it was the life sucking work I did all week.

I got a text from friend Cissie and we went on a text volley for the next forty minutes. She has strong thumbs. I broke it off so I could lay down some hot riffs in the blog. I like to do a little every once in awhile during the day. More live as it were. If contemporaneous, less I have to depend on my abysmal memory. And better is the output. You’re welcome.

I think I will go to the grocery store. I have literally nothing else to do. Ya, it’s crazy. I have a difficult time being still. Even when sitting and doing something it’s tough. Mania drives me I think. It would explain a lot.

I ended up going to the grocery store. And hardware store. I wanted to go by the car dealer and look at some new cars cuz the boy might be in the market since the crash. But I skipped it. And i am glad I did which I will discuss later.

So off to the hardware store to get smoking chips for the bbq. I got to Lowe’s, found the chips, realized I had no wallet with me. I may have uttered some colorful language. Wait, I did do that. Ok. Back into car and drive back home and get my stupid wallet. I blame the wallet for not getting in my pocket. Damn wallet.

On the drive back tonLowes I decided to go to the store I bought the bbq. I need fire starters and a cover for the Q. The place is a couple miles outside of town, just off the interstate. I got there 2 minutes before they closed. I drove through the front gate prior just as they tried to close it. Not a good customer. Too bad.

Inside the store, it was all different than my last visit. I questioned where all the Green Egg stuff was and the salesman said they were no longer a dealer. Which sucks. I will now have to drive an extra twenty miles to find a dealer. Good news, this place still had inventory. And all prices have been cut drastically. I got the hickory and apple chips and fire starter at 25% discount. No bbq cover, those were all sold.

Now I went to the grocery store. Usual trip, bought the same things as usual. Never much variance in what I buy. Tri tip on sale. Veggies. Fruit. I forgot the Diet Coke which does make the trip a little more exciting. Slightly.

Home next and put away the haul. Emily has stayed behind to work on glass projects she will be selling at Tremont School Fall Festival, a school fundraiser. She spent an easy three hours on the glass items which are now in the kiln.

Got a text from the boy. He found an almost exact copy of his car on autotrader. For about what the insurance company is giving him for his. We discussed all of the things he needed to do to see if the car was worth buying. Probably spent 20 minutes discussing it. So, called the dealer. It was sold that morning. I thought, there must be more for sale. I went on Car Gurus and found an easy 10 cars for sale almost identical to his. And texted them all to him. He now has two he is looking at tomorrow. This would be an easy solution for his situation. We will see.

Now you can see why it would have been a waste if I had gone to the dealer. Except for my looking at new cars. Which I do enjoy.

I got the bbq going by 3. And spiced the ribs. And put those new wood chips to use. I think a 3 hour slow cook at 225 will be awesome. They are cooking now, been a little over 2 hours. Emily is getting the sides ready. I may go help. But I already did the hard work.

I fed the dogs. That’s hard work. Everything is done, it’s 720. Still waiting on the potatoes. I opened a bottle of well thought of sauv blanc. Putrid. I almost puked. I gave Emily a taste. Same response. I am tossing the rest of it. I opened a red blend from WA state. Very nice. And under $10. So we are having the red with dinner.

The ribs are ready. The salad is ready. But Emily’s scalloped potatoes were still crunchy. Not done. They cooked 15 mins past all else. So we ate our salads. Potatoes still not done. So we ate dinner anyway. With crunchy potatoes and decent red wine. And, the smoked racks of pork ribs. Those were fabulous. No sauce required. I did a fine job. And we have a rack of leftovers.

The dishes are washed and leftover dinner is stowed. I am sitting in the front, sadly I am watching 48 Hours aka murder porn. There is nothing on. Nothing good at least. Emily sits and plays words with friends and I blog. I would turn off the TV but she likes the noise.

I think my evening is set. Awful TV till I go to bed. Oh well. I can handle it.

I can see my day developing in front of me. 16 more hours of CE to go. 4 trips to the bathroom so far, and it’s only 915. Related? Probably.

Emily bought danishes from our very local bakery. With how my stomach is feeling, I can’t eat one. I will save it for later I hope.

The poodle is doing fine after yesterday’s marathon visit to the vet. The dog will outlive us all. In the end of time it will be the cockroaches and my poodle. The other dog is walking the razors edge. He is just old and screwed up. There is nothing to do for him. Vet gave me some trazedone to hold down his anxiety – constant pacing, shaking, panting. I gave him one at bed time. It was as if he had died. He didn’t. Just stopped moving all night. It’s a blessing.

I am trying to get ready to leave.
My tummy feels like crap. I get ready between trips to the loo. Sorry, not sure how to politely describe it. I should be out of here in 30 minutes.

Emily is joining me in Sacramento at he end of the day. We are going out to dinner at a favorite place across the street from my office. Her plans put her in Sacto early, about 430. I won’t be ready then. She can hit the mall for some light shopping to kill time. And spend money. Maybe that is why she suggested this little outing?

Still at home, seated. Hoping for a cure soon, please. Some days are just not fun. Today, so far, is that day.

I kind of got better all of a sudden. By better I mean I felt I could go get in my car and go to work and not have to stop for a bathroom break every ten minutes. Strangely I just all of a sudden improved.

So, drive to work uneventfully. I like that. Drives should be orderly and peaceful.

Office was quiet, very few calls or visitors. I could really get used to that. Only two worker bees in today which adds to the quiet.

You will never guess what I did today. Wrong. I spent the day doing more CE. Fooled you. But, I am finished!!!! I get a break for a few months. I am relieved. It’s nice to be done. I still have to finish he packet, add $120 and mail to the Board. No problem. Monday.

I had enough time in my day to prepare payroll, cut up the danish and macaroon and share with the other two and do other paperwork for a change. I had forgotten what that is like.

I had a long conversation with number one son. We had to discuss all things car wreck. He is still trying to settle on what he is doing. He may pay to fix the car. Or he may take the cash offer. He is still unsure. He is far to contemplative for his own good. I think he will end up buying a used car and junking the wrecked one. It’s just easier.

Emily called about six, she had finally arrived at the place across the street. She was in Nordstrom. I finished up and joined her. And by finishing up I mean I have to come back after dinner for an hour and finish up. Got to have my packet ready to submit.

I drove over to the mall, got my free valet parking at the restaurant and joined Emily in the mall. We lasted about ten minutes. Hen off to restaurant and a cocktail. Old Fashioned actually. We each had one. Dinner was nice. The joint was not as busy as it usually is on a Friday. Service good and food excellent. Would be nice if it was cheaper but all things considered I had a great time and a nice meal. What more can I ask for.

After dinner I did what I had said. Emily got her car and went home. I got mine out of hock and went back to the office. I had plenty to compile and copy. Write a check. All sorts of crap. Nothing fun or funny. Then I hit the road. No traffic, it’s late. So I was able to maintain speed and make good time.

Emily did not call all worried till I was five minutes out. That’s very good for her. She worries. I guess she still loves me.

She was already in bed when I can in. Every animal was too. So, I cleaned up and got my heinie ready for bed. Just needed to finish the days blog and it’s off to dreamland. Please.

Ok. Not my kind of morning, nor my kind of day. What do I mean, you say? Well, I went to bed at maybe 10:15 last night. Gotta be up and moving by 4am to get dog to vet in San Jose. Want to miss traffic and it’s tough to time it. I woke up at 230am and could not sleep. Wonderful. I should have gotten up then. Instead I stayed in bed, awake, till 4 am alarm. Great.

So how was my morning? Well, other than feeling like shit from lack of sleep, my morning was nice. I got up and showered and since I did not take last shower I did not have to squeegee the shower doors. Great. Dressed. Made breakfast for dogs and cats as usual. Ok. Made Emily’s lunch. Good. Did not make her breakfast because it would be awful in two hours when she gets up. Great. I made no coffee for same reason. Great. Packed my food. Ready to go in well under an hour. So, it was a nice morning.

Kissed Emily goodbye and got on the road. It’s not far to the clinic. But, San Jose has some of the worst commute traffic on the planet. So if I miss that, I will arrive about an hour early andnin good spirits. If I hit the traffic I will be at least an hour late and arrive angry/pissed/homicidal. I choose early.

I did make one stop on my way to SJ. Starbucks. Which is not easy while driving down the interstate at 445am. I used a tactic I learned from the boy. I opened Yelp (that’s correct, while driving) punched in Starbucks, pressed the nearby button and you get a very small map and a list of locations. You can’t use the list. Because you are driving and the list is all around you and behind you. I expanded the map which shows all the redo dot locations on the interstate and others and where your car is at. Then I poked the nearest red dot to the freeway that was in front of me far enough so it could calculate that location directions quick enough for me to make the exit. So I did that. And found a Starbucks right on the freeway with NO signage. Did not know it was there. Method is a real bonus. I got a large hi octane hot coffee and got right back on the road.

Now, I am sitting in my car in the clinic parking lot with latte at 650am while clinic opens at 730. And Latte is panting in the backseat and her poodle breath is gross (ask someone that has a poodle) and it’s 60 degrees so she must be stress panting. Poodles are one of a kind.

But my down time sitting let’s me do the blog thing. I have already drank the coffee and eaten so nowhere else to go.

Upon arriving I let stinky out of the car. She took a leak in the parking lot immediately. I managed to get her to the designated dog area for her solid business. They have bags and a can. She got back in the car, panted for a few minutes and is now quietly sleeping.

If I have any luck, please Lord, I will be outta here quick with the dog. I don’t feel lucky. When I discussed Lattes symptoms with the Doc on Monday he gave me a list of five possibilities, all horrible. Since she is 16 I kinda expect the worst. Something really bad will devastate Emily. That is the most difficult thing for me. I have had many pets go to the great beyond and you do get used to it. But I have had only the one wife, and how she reacts to this determines how I react. I don’t look forward to bad news. Fortunately, we are all still in the positive frame of mind. At least for another hour or so. Pray for the dog.

Just so everyone knows, sitting in your car waiting for something to open is on the most boring things ever list. And, it’s probanly not on top of the list. In the top five for sure.

So I sat in the car with Latte for forty minutes. And then they opened. I went in with the dog. Raj was not there yet because of traffic. And he drove from only South San Jose. I was forty minutes early and I came from Vacaville. Hardly makes sense. In spite of no Dr, the tech took Latte in for x rays. And whatever else they do in the back. I told them to bring her back healthy.

I sat. Played solitaire. And waited. Dog showed up. Laid down. Raj showed up and we went into an exam room. We discussed the dog and a few other things. And then I sat down in the lobby again. And waited.

Lattes prognosis from my text with the Ver a couple days ago was all bad. He suggested five fatal diseases or problems were likely. So when he brought me back in to the exam room I braced myself. Problem? Well, infected anal sacs, ear infection, and bronchitis. All cured with antibiotics. She is gonna live forever, I think. While there they brought all dog maintenance items up to date.

We left. Heading north, to Vacaville, not Alaska. Very fast trip. Hour and twenty.

At home I put the poodle in the backyard to do her business. Jax too. While they produced poop I cleaned up poop. Then something cool happened. I dropped my phone in dog poop. Oh joy! So I took it inside and spent 30 minutes cleaning it. Disgusting. It went in all the cracks and of course you cant clean a phone with water. It was very gross. Awful. Foul. Smelly.

I went by Tremont before work. Told Emily her dog was actually fine and really will live forever. So stop worrying.

I’m on the way to work. Smooth and easy trip. I finally got to work around 1230. And then the day begins. What do I do? CE for five hours. Maybe six. I have got to get this crap done. Tomorrow I hope. Please.

I left work around 630. Straight home. Fed dogs and cats and Rx’d he he’ll out of them. Emily arrived right then. We chatted about my day which was the exciting part of the day. And I told her the diagnosis details. Very thrilling.

I made dinner for us. And that’s the day. Besides the usual horrid television shows prior to bed. And I am damn tired, having slept only 3 1/2 hours last night, followed by a drive all morning trip. I am ready for bed.

I woke around 5. I say around five because I can’t really see my clock from across the room without my glasses on. So, I got up at one point to hit the head before this point I speak of and it was before five. You can see I keep Rolex time.

I stayed awake till the alarm went off at 630. I suppose I should read or something but I just wanna want to sleep. This is not an auspicious start to my work week. Maybe I can sleep tonight. All the way to the alarm.

Last night, for that matter all day yesterday, Latte had a cough. Now Poodles, as a rule, always have a cough. And bad breath. And Poodle attitude. But I digress. Her cough has been an issue for a year or so. But, not much. One bout a day maybe skip a couple days. Not horrible. Yesterday, constant. Or almost such. When she was asleep, no cough. I sent a video of her hacking to the vet. He said he had 5 answers – collapsing trachea, allergic bronchitis, cancer, congestive heart failure, pneumonia. Lovely. Latte is 16 years old. None of this is good. She needs a chest x Ray first. I have to hump her down to San Jose this week. Good news, she has a great appetite. Of course, Taffy had a great appetite up to the end. Not good.

I have lots of other crap going down today. May have building sold. We are on deal number three. Need agreement from 2nd holder and we are done. I have little faith. But I am riding this plane into the ground.

Next up is a conversation with the Board of Accountancy. Regulators of all things accounting in our great state. I would describe them as a pile of fetid turds, only because this is a family blog. I am trying to closenout my last license filing and they are being, well, turds. They are doing what bureaucrats do – gum up the works, halt progress, act like hitler youth, the usual. I don’t love them.

Just finished breakfast as did Emily. She is outta here. Again, I am left with the miscellaneous errand – pick up wax paper bags, sandwich size. Those are available in Sacramento at Cash and Carry which is close to my office. Emily can’t live without them.

Time for usual SSS. Love listening to the dog wheeze and hack as I sit here. At least it means she is still alive. Morbid, but true.

So, ready and off to work. It’s early so I stopped at Starbucks and got a large ice coffee. That’s the last good thing today. No more enjoyment today.

Off to office. Had an 11am appointment with a new client. Needs 6 tax returns prepared. He was here for 2 and a half hours. Yikes.

After my one and only appointment, I spent the remainder of the day doing my continuing ed. It’s due by 9/30. So it’s full blast till then. I have a lot done but I need 80 total hours and I have 50. I got a ways to go.

I worked on CE till 530. I left and ran an errand for Emily. Stopped by Cash and Carry to get wax paper sandwich bags. They had the wrong kind. So no bags.

From cash n carry I headed home. Quick and eventless trip. The best kind.

Got home, Emily was cleaning up after Latte. She had a booty explosion on the rug. Lovely. Good thing she is sick.

After that, we fixed dinner. Leftover tri tip and a salad. Leftovers. I love leftovers. They make me happy. I want them every day which is not possible. Unless I come visit you.

After dinner I spent a few hours doing CE. With a computer you can do it anywhere, unfortunately. That was my whole evening. Except I am going to try and clean the aforementioned rug a little more in detail. Then it’s bedtime.

Oh yeah, Lattes appointment is Thursday morning at 730 in San Jose. I will have to be up by 4am and leave at 5. Yuck.

Slept ok last night. By ok I mean I slept till 430. Then was awake for half hour. Then asleep. Then awake. Till 930. So I felt like poop when I got up. Em slept in till 930 as well. Crazy. But she slept all the way through. She is lucky that way. And I am not.

So nice morning moving very slow. Did the usual. Got the fat paper and took my time reading it. For no more reason than I felt like it.

We were ready to get moving by noon. Told you, slow morning. I headed out to the storage unit to drop some stuff off. Then while there, parked, engine running, air on (it’s hot) I called back a client who has been trying to get ahold of me. 30 minutes later, call done. That guy is a champion talker. Emily called and sent me up the street to the hardware store for electrical tape. Instead, I found the coolest thing, a disposable bbq. I grabbed one for the trailer. Seems perfect for camping and then I don’t need to carry a dirty bbq around. Having to carry a bbq, and charcoal and fluid is kinda a pain in the but. So a bbq that just burns up, no metal, seems a bonus. I will report back on the wonder of such a product after the first use.

So I went back to storage from the hardware store. The trailer is there and the bbq will be used when I go camping so I thought it the best place for it.

From here I went home. 17 minutes. Close but not. Emily was sweeping out the garage when I arrived. So she signaled to stop and I waited till she finished. I noticed while sitting in the car and staring into the garage that I had not set up the new shelf. Old shelf was plastic and it has already sagged a lot. Only six months. So I had purchased a metal shelf last week. So when Emily let me into the garage I parked. And then emptied the crappy plastic shelf and set up the metal shelf which is far better and worth the higher price. And I loaded it up with a lot more crap. It’s a winner.

Now we are just sitting, maybe out of chores. Except laundry. I am going to start the bbq soon and give the tri tip a 3 hour slow cook. It’s been marinating since yesterday. I will go do that.

Ok. Tri tip is on for an hour now. At about 250. I am hoping three hours is enough. I have about that much time before I want to eat dinner. That’s how I time it. If it ain’t done the temp goes up.

The two of us have been doing chores. And listening to Latte’s cough. She has had one for a couple years but today it all of a sudden intensified. And it’s bad. I see a trip to San Jose in my future. Probably this week. Our veterinarian is in San Jose. I drive the three hours one way willingly since vet and I trade services. So not having to payout $$ makes me happy. I sent vet a video of her hacking to get a diagnosis.

We have reached the point in the day where the bad TV is on. I would rather go through the day in silence. But Emily loves TV at least she likes the noise it makes. Could have gone to a movie even. Which is an improvement over TV. I’m gonna go empty the cat box.

Well that was disgusting. I could do without having to clean a cat box. We have two. One for each of our mangy, flea bitten cats. Fortunately one of them is 15 and has renal issues. Maybe it won’t be long. The other one is 5 which means I’m stuck with her for a long while. The dogs are on thin ice. All the time.

We are watching the news which is truly a waste of time. The daily news is pointless. You won’t remember what you watched five minutes later. I don’t see the attraction. So we watched the local news then national. Truly stupid, both broadcasts covered the same stories.

At least 60 Minutes was interesting. It does not qualify as terrible TV. Like the rest of crap we watch.

At 630, I pulled the tri tip off the grill. Only 3 hours cooking and it is perfect. We paired that with grilled asparagus and peppers. We opened a can of chenin blanc (client has a winery, they gave me cans) and dinner is on. An excellent meal. Emily drank most of the wine, she is not dieting. But, all in all, very good Sunday dinner. And leftover tri tip will make excellent sandwiches.

The rest of the evening was spent with bad TV. If it ain’t broke, you know? Then off to bed. I got work tomorrow.

Well, it’s finally Saturday. What’s different? Well, I don’t make lunch for Emily. Woo hoo! That’s my break. I do all the same things as on a weekday. And Emily is going to workout so I still have a time deadline too. Not much of a day off.

It’s 1030 and all is done, including the lawn mowing. Which was under 10 mins again. Emily just got home. We are going to have lunch with Marika’s landlord. Ok, Mary is an old family friend, I have known her almost as long as I have known Emily. Whoa. She was the town pharmacist in Petaluma for many years. 35. Anyhow, we are driving to her place to go out for lunch. A long drive for a meal. It’s what you do.

Drive was pleasant enough, though way to long. We got there and were reunited with our grandcat, Vlad. If I hadn’t mentioned it, Marika lives in Mary’s house so Vlad is there too. I think he was actually glad to see us. And he has become more friendly as well. I was able to rub his belly and pet him and he never growled. Not once.

We went to lunch at a pub restaurant. I was not to terribly impressed with the food though Mary and Emily seemed to like it. Of course, I m back on my diet after the baccanalian celebration last weekend. Plus I have been spotty on my diet compliance so I did not “freely” order from the menu. If you can eat what you want, you order differently. I would have.

Next stop, Sonoma Cutrer vineyards. It’s where Marika works. I am still (it’s 9pm) unsure why we drove the forty minutes. I could have waited. But drive we did. Marika seemed to be having a great at work. Getting good tips. Smiling. That was fine.

One of the best things here is we get free wine. So all they serve is free. Today is free champagne. And free Pinot. Mary had never been here before so for her all was new. So halfway through our visit Marika informed us she had to leave. There was an event in Sonoma for the winery and she was working. So she left. And we left. We probably weren’t there for an hour.

So back in the car to Petaluma. Forty minutes back. We dropped Mary off at her house in Petaluma and she got right into her car and went to her house in Bodega Bay. She prefers Bodega, so much so that Marika gets the house to herself. Free rent and a whole house to herself. Very nice.

Em and I drove back to Vacaville. One stop at my favorite Grocery store, Winco. Picked up a few essentials and home.

Got home, my stupid dog had peed in the house. I hate dogs and all pets. So we fed the little shits and the cats. I cranked up the bbq and we burned some steaks for dinner. We steamed some veggies too. Man can not live by meat alone. Though I would like to try.

We are now sitting and watching TV. Fun. It’s 935 and I am hoping we can go to bed soon.